Tonight I'm spending the evening in front of The History Channel watching all of the JFK programs, completely enraptured.
I'm a child of Massachusetts, so of course I revere the Kennedys. Have done so all my life. But I was less than two month old when the President was assassinated on that grim day in Dallas, yet mysteriously I have such a deep reaction to it.
Why?
I think about this a lot. Those of you who know me well (and even those who don't) know that I'm almost obsessed with this iconic family. I watch and read everything I can about them. I cried real tears while watching Ted Kennedy's funeral. I mark November 22 ever year as if it were a personal event.
In some ways, I think it's simply because of where I grew up. JFK's portrait adorned every classroom that I can recall from grade school. I have memories of my great-aunt Kathy, at every upheaval in the news during my childhood, remarking vehemently, "I'm going to write to Senator Kennedy." And she did. We knew the Kennedys were for us. All of us.
More than that, though, I think they represent to me a family who, despite their difficulties, are a CLOSE family. Not to get too deeply into my youth, I did not have that. Also, my beloved grandfather shared the love of Cape Cod with the Kennedys. I remember being on my grandfather's lobster boat and viewing the Kennedy compound in Hyannisport from the Atlantic. It was a normal part of my life.
So today I am riveted by all things Kennedy. Yes, they have their flaws. But I will always have a soft spot in my heart for Camelot.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
some things I did not do well today....
I'm in a bit of a funk. Work is extremely busy and full of software applications that are just not behaving lately. I had a snafu with my AOL account, which I'm trying to shut down and I'm caught up in a bunch of red tape. Our cat, Sheila, is having some health issues that are worrying me. The holidays are coming up. Although I love the true meaning behind the season, the decorations, the parties, I dread the unrealistic expectations and the ancient family dramas that the holidays always provoke. I have to go to the dentist tomorrow.
Wah. Poor freakin' me. Generally, I can find it within myself to cope pretty well with the curveballs the universe puts in my path. But sometimes, I suck at it.
Right now I'm sucking.
I'm so fortunate to have a wonderful support system of friends and family who have been in constant contact with me to offer a hug or a beer, or in some cases, both. I have a gorgeous, patient and kind husband who is a pillar of strength and-- who knows why-- tolerates me even when I'm a beast. I live in the greatest city on earth and can go ice skating at lunchtime. I have a roof over my head and chocolate in my belly when I need it.
Despite all that wonderfulness, I found myself today spending way too much time focused on negativity. Bemoaning the few people in my life who disappoint me. Those who cannot accept your shortcomings but are always quick to point out what you do wrong or how you should be. The ones who are so wrapped up in their own self-importance that they can only see through the lens of what you can do for them. Wishing I could lose five pounds and that ginormous zit that's about to erupt on my chin. Or that I could run faster, have nicer hair, more money in my savings account.
Life is all about balance. Good and bad. I honestly have way more good than bad. And a day when I don't see that is, well, a day wasted.
This post is my attempt to refocus.
Wah. Poor freakin' me. Generally, I can find it within myself to cope pretty well with the curveballs the universe puts in my path. But sometimes, I suck at it.
Right now I'm sucking.
I'm so fortunate to have a wonderful support system of friends and family who have been in constant contact with me to offer a hug or a beer, or in some cases, both. I have a gorgeous, patient and kind husband who is a pillar of strength and-- who knows why-- tolerates me even when I'm a beast. I live in the greatest city on earth and can go ice skating at lunchtime. I have a roof over my head and chocolate in my belly when I need it.
Despite all that wonderfulness, I found myself today spending way too much time focused on negativity. Bemoaning the few people in my life who disappoint me. Those who cannot accept your shortcomings but are always quick to point out what you do wrong or how you should be. The ones who are so wrapped up in their own self-importance that they can only see through the lens of what you can do for them. Wishing I could lose five pounds and that ginormous zit that's about to erupt on my chin. Or that I could run faster, have nicer hair, more money in my savings account.
Life is all about balance. Good and bad. I honestly have way more good than bad. And a day when I don't see that is, well, a day wasted.
This post is my attempt to refocus.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Stranger than fiction
Part of my job involves creating the electronic version of our firm's thought leadership pieces, querying our CRM system for the appropriate recipients, distributing the bulk email and finally managing the bouncebacks.
Most times said bouncebacks are very mundane in nature. So-and-so is out of the office today. If you need immediate assistance, contact this person. Or, effective x date, so-and-so is no longer employed at XYZ Corp. But ever once in a while, I get to peer into something much more lively.
Today I saw an out-of-office greeting for an individual who was taking a biking vacation in Vietnam and Cambodia. In addition to the dates of her absence and instructions on how to get assistance while she was away, she also provided a link to a blog that promised to tell of her travels. Intrigued, I made a note of it to explore further when I got home. I'm a sucker for blogs.
Much to my delight, the blog indeed told the story of her trip in well-written detail and featured some beautiful photography. I was captivated so I read on.
In earlier posts, she shared a compelling facet of her life. It seems that on her deathbed, her mother revealed to this woman (Emily) that she (Emily) had a half-sister from her father's previous marriage. Emily spent her entire life (I don't know for sure, but from the pictures, she appears to be in her 50's) not knowing this important detail about her past.
Life continued on and this shocking revelation took a back burner until several years later when the mysterious half-sister contacted her by letter. By now, Emily's dad was dead and the half-sister was researching her family tree and-- through the dad's obituary-- discovered Emily. They corresponded and eventually met, all of which was documented in the blog.
Wow. It's funny and amazing how cyberspace and serendipity led me to a true story that was much more interesting than a lot of the fiction I read. I intend on checking her blog frequently. Just to see how it all turns out.
Most times said bouncebacks are very mundane in nature. So-and-so is out of the office today. If you need immediate assistance, contact this person. Or, effective x date, so-and-so is no longer employed at XYZ Corp. But ever once in a while, I get to peer into something much more lively.
Today I saw an out-of-office greeting for an individual who was taking a biking vacation in Vietnam and Cambodia. In addition to the dates of her absence and instructions on how to get assistance while she was away, she also provided a link to a blog that promised to tell of her travels. Intrigued, I made a note of it to explore further when I got home. I'm a sucker for blogs.
Much to my delight, the blog indeed told the story of her trip in well-written detail and featured some beautiful photography. I was captivated so I read on.
In earlier posts, she shared a compelling facet of her life. It seems that on her deathbed, her mother revealed to this woman (Emily) that she (Emily) had a half-sister from her father's previous marriage. Emily spent her entire life (I don't know for sure, but from the pictures, she appears to be in her 50's) not knowing this important detail about her past.
Life continued on and this shocking revelation took a back burner until several years later when the mysterious half-sister contacted her by letter. By now, Emily's dad was dead and the half-sister was researching her family tree and-- through the dad's obituary-- discovered Emily. They corresponded and eventually met, all of which was documented in the blog.
Wow. It's funny and amazing how cyberspace and serendipity led me to a true story that was much more interesting than a lot of the fiction I read. I intend on checking her blog frequently. Just to see how it all turns out.
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